Introducing my British Cinema blog ...

[Two Types]

Those of you interested in old British films might like to view my new blog in which I am posting reviews and observations on British cinema. Anyone who reads the 'Show Us Their Suits Thread' will already be aware that I watch rather a lot of old British films, but you might imagine I only watch them to see the clothes. Don't worry, I do actually follow the stories!

So far the blog has all been on films made from the thirties through to the late 1950s (and looking at the pile of DVDs in my house it will be staying that way):

Rank & File: A British Cinema Blog

My aim is to build up a site that covers some of the more obscure elements of British cinema, such as reference photographs of bit-part actors whose faces crop up everywhere but whom no one can name. Here's my page on Frederick Piper.

One of my most recent blogs was something I call fantasy film making: imaging a film that might have been made and deciding on a cast. I started with Casino Royale, imaging the first James Bond novel being filmed in the mid 1950s.

I hope you like the blog and will be interested in getting feedback.

 

[The Wiser Hatter]

Great Job TT

 

[Flat Foot Floey]

Oh nice. Quite some good writing too not just dropping pictures like I do on my tumblr. I also like the ideas about the lesser known actors and the alternative cast. I have to say I know very little of the british movies and actors you mentioned but maybe that's just the point.

 

[herringbonekid]

TT, i was trying to find a quote you mentioned recently; about a certain actress who was always called for if the script mentioned 'appears in cami knickers'.
who was the actress ?

edit: i just found it on your blog; Jean Kent.

 

[Two Types]

Cheers gents. There will be more stuff coming soon.

 

[Worf]

A treasure! Thanks for the coat pull. There are aspects of British Cinema that I just LOVE!!!! Robert Donat being one of the biggest!

Worf

 

[Chasseur]

Great stuff TT.

Your review of The Wicked Lady and post-war British uplift was priceless. I can look at Margaret Lockwood all day...

 

[Two Types]

Margaret Lockwood is in one of the next films that I'll be posting about: 'The Man in Grey'.

 

[Chasseur]

Margaret Lockwood is in one of the next films that I'll be posting about: 'The Man in Grey'.

Castle, wizard!

 

[Two Types]

I have just updated the blog with a review of Adam & Evelyne (1949) and a discussion of bow-ties in British cinema.

 

[herringbonekid]

TT, have you seen 'A Cottage on Dartmoor' 1929 by Anthony Asquith ?

it has at least one interesting jacket in it:

 

[Two Types]

I've not seen it. I've only just moved into thirties films in any serious way, so the twenties is a bit far back for me at the moment. Anthony Asquith had a long directoral career lasting nearly 40 years. His 1928 film 'Underground' (about people falling in love on the London underground) is supposed to be very good. It was restored last year and shown at the BFI but I missed it. I know it has lots of location filming and I imagine there are plenty of good shots of late twenties fashion.

 

[herringbonekid]

TT, yes i have Underground on DVD (screen grab below). definitely worth a watch for the 20s settings and fashion. now i want to see something British from the early (pre-bag) 20s !

 

[Two Types]

Obviously, the film I want to see is 'Oxford Bags' (1926). However even the BFI doesn't have a print of it.

You might want to check out the early films of Walter Forde. He made a few british comedies in the early twenties.

 

[esteban68]

great looking informative blog TT!

 

[DNO]

Terrific blog, Two Types! My colleagues and I were fed a steady diet of British films while growing up...everything from The Ladykillers to Cockleshell Heroes. I've always loved them. Stanley Baker as Bond, uh? Interesting.

 

[Two Types]

Cheers, keep reading there will be lots more reviews etc coming.

 

[Feraud]

I'm a bit late to this party but looking forward to reading your blog. My knowledge of British cinema is sadly lacking.

 

[Two Types]

Cheers. I tend to stick to some of the most obscure films, but I try to look at angles that others might ignore (such as bow ties or the 'British Warm' overcoat).

 

[tuppence]

Neat! I love old British Movies At one time they were a regular feature on our late night ABC. What's a little bit exciting (I'm sad, I know) is to find actors that are familiar faces from the 70's and 80's sit-coms as bit players in obscure movies. The other week I saw Prunella Scales when she was a lot younger.
The sad part about these old movies are, they're near impossible to obtain on DVD or download from the net. So if You know of any good places to obtain them it can only be a bonus.